Singed by heat, Surtis queue up at hospitals

Surat: Large number of patients are queuing up at New Civil Hospital (NCH) and SMIMER Hospital with complaints of dehydration, bleeding nose, dysentery and other heat-related illnesses in the city.The temperature has not touched 42 degrees Celsius in Surat, but high humidity has made life difficult for people. The temperature that hovered at 40 degrees Celsius for two days, is back to 38 degrees. However, there is no respite from high humidity which remains above 65 per cent in the city. Dr Vikas Desai, executive director, Urban Health Climate Resilience Centre (UHCRC), said, "The patient turnover increases during such days. They mostly suffer from giddiness, unconsciousness, dehydration, bleeding nose and dysentery. Such patients need to be treated with care. During heatwave conditions, people suffering from hypertension could feel weak and need to be paid extra attention." Dr Mukesh Vashi, a medical practitioner, said, "In climate like Surat's where the rate of perspiration is very high, higher liquid intake is desirable and people must avoid going out in direct sunlight."

More than 20 heat-related cases are being reported daily at NCH and SMIMER Hospital for the last four days. The two hospitals are also recording same number of out patients. However, so far no heat-related death has been reported in the city. The 108 emergency service has also received 1,226 calls in May in the city. Of these 319 were of abdominal pain, 36 of blood pressure, 54 of chest pain, 5 of ENT bleeding, 86 of fainting, 217 of collapsing, 84 of dehydration and 260 of falling unconscious on roads.